Google has purchased Next New Networks this week, the producer of viral video programming.
The financials of the deal were not disclosed.
Since its launch in 2007, Next New Networks’ videos have collected 2 billion views and 6 million subscribers.
Says Google (via DMW):
Within YouTube, Next New Networks will be a laboratory for experimentation and innovation with the team working in a hands on way with a wide variety of content partners and emerging talent to help them succeed on YouTube.
NNN has raised over $27 million in funding, so far.
Result for: million subscribers
T-Mobile has confirmed today that they will begin throttling smartphone owners that use excessive amounts of data.
Subscribers that hit over 5GB of bandwidth per month will have their speeds throttled at that point.
The carrier says the rule will affect less than 1 percent of its 35 million subscribers.
Reads the announcement:
“Beginning on October 16, T-Mobile will begin to reduce data speeds when a customer reaches 5GB of usage in a billing cycle, in accordance with T-Mobile terms and conditions. This change should only affect extreme data users (less than 1 percent) and is being made to ensure that all subscribers receive the best Web performance available by limiting the number of extreme data users on our network.
The majority of T-Mobile customers should not be affected by this change. The new 5 GB threshold limit, which is equivalent to approximately 125,000 yahoo.com page visits, is enough bandwidth to satisfy most customers’ Web and data needs.
If a customer happens to reach the 5GB limit, they will receive a free text message informing them their data speed will be reduced. Customers will continue to have Web browsing capabilities but at slower speeds, which will be determined by their device type. Once their new billing cycle begins, data speeds will no longer be restricted.
Customers can track their data usage through My T-Mobile, MyAccount, or the SIVR.”
While subscribers may be upset by the news, it is important to note that Verizon and AT&T no longer offer unlimited data plans, and charge by the MB for any overages over their most expensive 5GB plans.
Result for: million subscribers
Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, talking to the Financial Times, has said today that the carrier is now actively considering deploying WiMAX and LTE for their 4G networks.
Currently, the company only offers 4G through WiMAX.
That decision is leading many to speculate that a long rumored merger between Sprint and T-Mobile USA is a possibility, given that both would use LTE for their 4G needs.
The merger makes no sense now, as T-Mobile uses GSM/UMTS for 3G while Sprint uses CDMA. Deutsche Telekom, the parent of T-Mobile has entertained offers to sell its American unit.
T-Mobile is the fourth biggest carrier in the U.S., with 34 million subscribers, while Sprint is third at 48 million. Both trail leaders Verizon and AT&T by a large margin.
When asked about a merger, Hesse said there was “logic” behind a move like that: “I don’t see a need to scale larger, but if there’s an acquisition that makes sense for us, I do want to have a balance sheet that would give me the flexibility of making good acquisitions when we see them.”
